The Earthfleet Saga- Volume Two Page 6

  “Aye, sir. We’ll do what we can in three days, then wrap it up. But I would sure love to meet these people who built the station. They’d be worthy to consider for membership in the Earth Alliance.”

  * * *

  The station watched the small craft depart the hangar. The other two, obviously positioned to see into the observation deck through the main viewports from space, left as well, one ahead, the other trailing. All three entered a large port at the lower rear of the main vessel, first the craft which held the incapacitated creature, then the others, hovering in protection. The hatches closed, and the station was again alone.

  It proceeded to turn most of its power to the large vessel once more, but part of it calculated whether the creatures would return for further study. The percentage was better than half, it decided, and it went about devising other tests. Tests of logic and of reasoning power, tests of will or courage… all non-lethal, but more difficult than those before. It had to know more about these creatures, and if they were truly worthy of contact with the creators, regardless the time-flow difference.

  One test became rather interesting, and it considered deeply of the implications. How would the large ship react, if the station could keep it close by, not allowing it to leave when it wished? Would those aboard react with weapons, or try to reason their way out? The station’s first deduction said reason would be the initial attempt, but if the station persisted in holding the vessel close, hostilities could result.

  The station knew it had no weapons or defenses to match that of the large vessel. It was obviously a ship of war, no matter how the creatures tried to hide it. It also knew the creators could not defeat it. After all, the creators were wise and benevolent, not a species that mounted weapons of destruction on their ships. Therefore, these creatures were much, much younger than those who built the station.

  In the last assessment, the station decided to proceed with its testing, even if it chanced repercussions. It must know. It was programmed to know. It was a machine, but a very, very smart one. As smart as these creatures, surely. Perhaps even more so.

  But now, there were other considerations, ones that might make all these suppositions meaningless. The station had turned its long-range scanners far beyond the system when certain alarms were tripped. There it detected signatures like those seen when the large vessel was first approaching. These others, unique and closing fast, would present new samples for evaluation.

  The station began to think in terms of not only study and inquiry, but survival. And if survival wasn’t possible, then final protocols and directives. It began to prepare a message to its creators. Humans might have thought the message as a last will and testament.

  Four

  Uninvited Guests

  “Duty Log, Captain Noah Westermann, 030717.10. The landing party returned to the alien station two days ago and is currently involved in mapping critical circuitry and the sensor array. Commander Hamilton reports no further issues with the station testing them, and all hands are in good spirits. Science Officer Xiaoli has requested permission to contact the Earthfleet Academy and present our findings once we return to Fleet Base Twelve, but that decision will be up the chain of command. But sending a team of the best scientists in the Earth Alliance to further study this artifact would be a prudent decision.

  “In the meantime, we have had no indication of Qoearc, Stiz, or anyone else in the vicinity. It appears my original fears of being followed were false.”

  * * *

  EAS Agincourt…

  “Captain, I’m picking up hyperlight signatures at the edge of the system border.” Phillips, at Tactical, turned to the command chair. “Two… no, three… no, four!”

  Westermann looked to Xiaoli’s second, David Harvey, at Sciences. “What do we have, Lieutenant?”

  “Confirmed, sir, four signatures have just appeared, three smaller, one larger. They appear to be Qoearc and have dropped out of hyperlight.”

  Westermann blew a breath and hit the intercom. “Sickbay, Bridge. Dr. Kamisori, is Commander Sh'zaoqoq fit for duty?”

  A pause on the line as Westermann heard voices exchanging information. Finally, Kamisori spoke. “She’s fine, I released her yesterday and told her to take twenty-four hours off before returning to duty.”

  Westermann counted to ten, then the lift doors opened. Sh’zaoqoq stepped onto the Bridge. “Permission to return to duty, Captain?”

  He nodded, relieved to see her, but furious with Kamisori’s report. “She’s here now, Doctor. Next time you release one of my Bridge crew for duty, be sure to inform me.”

  “It’s in my daily report.” Kamisori broke the link. Westermann fumed. “Welcome back, Commander, please relieve the lieutenant. Mr. Phillips, assist Sciences at the auxiliary station. Tactical, Sciences, full report in five minutes.”

  He turned to the Comm station. “Get me Commander Hamilton, quickly. Engineering, full assessment of the ship, now.”

  “Hamilton here. What’s going on, Captain?”

  “Qoearc found our trail, Commander. Get everyone back on board Agincourt within,” he looked to Sciences. Harvey held up five fingers. “Within five hours. As soon as they locate this station, they’ll head in-system.”

  “Aye, sir. We’re in the middle of some fascinating stuff, Captain. It may take us a bit longer to finish our upload of information.”

  “You’ve tapped into their computer?”

  “Not exactly, but we have access to some records that don’t appear to be encrypted. For all we know, it could be the lunch menu.”

  “Take no chances, Commander. That’s an order.” He heard Hamilton sigh.

  “Yes, sir. Five hours max. We’ll wrap it up as soon as possible. Landing party out.”

  Westermann clicked off, peered at the screens, one showing the station, the other a feed from one of the assault shuttles watching through the station ports. He looked around the Bridge, all hands busy at their stations. “Tactical?”

  “Four Qoearc confirmed, sir. Three Tak’nar scouts, the other possibly as large as a Cotak cruiser.”

  “But not Vrex class?”

  Sh’zaoqoq ran her fingers over the buttons quickly, enhancing, sharpening, refining the readings. She turned. “Confirmed, sir. Vrex.”

  The Bridge was quiet for a long moment.

  Westermann looked to Engineering. “Status?”

  “Green board, sir. Full sublight, thrusters, and hyperlight power. All PAKS weapons are operational, we have a full load of torpedoes, and the accumulators are charged to maximum. One assault shuttle on the deck and ready to launch, the other two are standing off the station.”

  “Captain.” Harvey’s voice from Sciences drew Westermann’s attention. “Minimum time to our location by the Qoearc is about seven hours. That’s if they push it hard. At cruising speed, which they’ll probably do at least in the beginning, we estimate nine to ten hours. Doubtful they’ll find the station at all until they get closer to the planet.”

  Westermann nodded. “Keep an eye on them, gentlemen. He looked to Sh’zaoqoq. “Commander, is the Chief back in Engineering?”

  The Arneci woman smiled briefly. Yes, sir, and much relieved. Thank you for taking care of me.”

  “That was…” Westermann paused. “The good doctor’s doing, not mine. Regardless, we’re all glad to see you well.”

  The Bridge grew quiet again, this time with duties and a feeling of growing anticipation.

  * * *

  The Station…

  Hamilton made her rounds, checking with each of the landing party as they finalized their work. She had set the two security guards packing equipment not being used, transferring it to the shuttle, and offered words of encouragement to Xiaoli, Butler, and the others as she could, working hard to glean as much data as they could from the station’s memory banks.

  In time, she called a halt. As the last equipment was shut down, and as she made her final check, her intercom buzzed.

  “Commander Hami
lton, Agincourt. This is an OC transmission!”

  She stopped short of the hatch and pressed the button. “Go ahead, Agincourt.”

  “Westermann. Lori, we’ve got two Qoearc Tak’nar scouts that just appeared on our screens, not ten minutes away. Tactical is trying to figure out how they got here so fast, but it doesn’t matter. We’re in trouble.”

  “Understood. We’re packing now, we’ll leave what we don’t need and return to Agincourt immediately.”

  “No time. You’ll have to shelter somewhere in the station or the shuttle. Your escorts will attempt to draw the Tak’nars away from the station. Keep your eyes peeled for an opening, but do not risk your life and crew. Understood?”

  “Sir, there’s no place on this station that’s safe. The hull is no better than an assault shuttle hull, and we find no evidence of weapons or defenses other than for micro-meteorites. This thing is a tin can.”

  “Then it’s the shuttle. At least you have countermeasures, and if you don’t disembark, they may not even detect you. Again, keep alert and watch for a strategic opening to return to Agincourt.”

  Hamilton’s thoughts spun. “Yes, sir. We’ll do what we can. Hamilton out.” She clicked off and stuck her head through the hatchway. “All hands, into the shuttle on the double. We’re under attack!”

  * * *

  EAS Agincourt…

  “Commander Sh’zaoqoq, explain to me what the hell happened?

  “Captain, I have no idea. The Tak’nar scouts went stealth and we lost track of them. The third stayed with the battlecruiser, and they’re still three hours away at maximum speed.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about the Tak’nars?”

  Sh’zaoqoq turned slowly to Westermann. “Sir, I thought I did. You acknowledged… did you not?”

  Westermann’s eyes stayed locked with hers for a long moment. “Weapons status?”

  She returned to her panel. “Fully powered. Shall we go to Battle Stations?”

  Westermann opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. “I ordered Battle Stations when the Tak’nars were first detected.” He looked to Phillips and Harvey, standing together at the Science station. “Didn’t I?”

  “I… might not have heard, sir. I was engaged in…” Phillips straightened. “No, sir, I heard no such order. Sorry.”

  “The time-flow effects are mounting,” said Harvey, his face nearly tucked into a hooded scanner. “And the station has extended it to within five kilometers of Agincourt. The field is growing in intensity also, glowing in the ultraviolet range. Much stronger and it will get into the visible frequencies.”

  “Sir,” continued Harvey, now standing, “without stasis gear, we’re fully exposed to whatever effects the reverse time-flow might have on us. Obviously more serious than what the landing party is getting.”

  Westermann hit the intercom. “Sickbay, Bridge. I’m sending Commander Sh’zaoqoq back to you. Put her in immediate medical stasis. She’ll explain when she arrives.”

  “Captain, this is Dr. Kamisori. There is no need for theatrics. We understand the problem.”

  “Then why…” Westermann held his temper, but only barely. “Follow my orders, Doctor. Bridge out.” He looked to Sh’zaoqoq. “Sickbay, Commander.”

  “Sir, please allow me to do my duty.”

  “Your duty right now is to yourself and your unborn. Get to Sickbay. Ensign, escort the Commander.”

  Sh’zaoqoq rose and walked slowly to the lift with the security officer, not looking at the Bridge crew. Phillips quietly took her seat.

  “Update, Mr. Phillips. Where are the Qoearc?”

  The lieutenant ran his fingers over the controls. “Five minutes out and drifting closer. They’ve surely spotted us by now, but they’re very wary. Basically, they’re hanging in space, just out of range.”

  “Shuttle and the escorts?”

  Phillips from Sciences answered. “The shuttle is fully loaded, all hands accounted for. The escorts have turned and are facing the Qoearc. Our weapons are charged and ready.”

  Westermann blew a breath. At least someone knows what to do, he thought. Between the time-flow effects and Dr. Kamisori’s near-insubordination…

  * * *

  The station watched the changing events with growing interest. The two newly-arrived ships seemed to pop out of nowhere, and were of different design and construction. They had taken an aggressive posture against the two small ships watching the station. When those ships swung around, the station noted immediate changes in the energy state of the new ships. Obviously, weapons being charged, and some sort of energy field surrounded them, likely for defense.

  The station was fascinated. It had not anticipated this, and now it had two species to study; two species who apparently knew each other well and were adversaries. Why so?

  The station filed the question and turned its attention to the creatures still within it. They had boarded their small craft, but not disembarked. Likely because they would be attacked, was the reasoning. And gauging the energy output of the new ships, destruction would be an almost-certainty.

  The station extended its time-flow barrier, more for its own protection than anything else, and brought additional resources online. It knew this could be detected easily by the crew on board, and likely the other ships as well, but it could not be helped. The station must protect itself, however it could. But its capabilities were limited. The creators had not thought of hostilities in this space, and therefore, not prepared for it.

  The station initiated its secondary processors for analysis. It calculated probabilities, estimated flight times between the craft within its hangar and the ship from which it came. It determined by observation and analyzing energy readings the large ship could quite easily defeat the two smaller new arrivals, if it had similar capabilities. It crunched numbers, evaluated strategies, projected outcomes. It also was completely aware of the other two ships quickly approaching, one nearly as large as the original close by. Should they arrive before the two new ones were defeated, the original large vessel likely would not survive.

  The station reviewed its options, which were few. While it had no concept of friend or foe, it knew those who had been aboard were curious creatures, as were the creators, and had taken steps to investigate with care.

  The station was not so certain of those who had just arrived.

  * * *

  Westermann ordered environmental suits with stasis fields for the Bridge crew and auxiliary control once it was confirmed the station had expanded its time-flow field. The order was passed down to Engineering, the torpedo deck, PAKS control, and other critical systems. When the supply of suits was exhausted, Chief Abol recommended portable stasis units be assembled around whatever else was necessary, including Sickbay. Dr. Kamisori had her own thoughts about the idea.

  “We don’t need it, Captain. Sickbay has standard shielding plus the environmental barrier, as you know. This intrusion is unnecessary.”

  “Your point is taken, Doctor, but my orders stand. Sickbay will have a portable stasis unit in place and operating within half an hour. It is not to be tampered with. No argument.”

  “This will go into my report.”

  Westermann laughed. “I certainly hope so. Your personal opinion carries no weight where the safety of crew and ship are concerned. As long as this time-flow issue is present, I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect Agincourt. You said it yourself, it’s affecting us. End of discussion.” He clicked off. “Sciences, report.”

  Harvey turned from his panel. “Captain, the Qoearc Tak’nars haven’t moved for thirty minutes. My assessment is, they are waiting for arrival of the other ships.”

  “Agreed. We have what, a bit more than two hours? Tactical, I need a plan to get the shuttle and its escorts back to Agincourt safely. Get me something quickly.” Westermann hit the intercom switch again. “Commander Hamilton, report.”

  Lori Hamilton’s voice was worn but she responded quickly. “Nominal, Captain. Everyone i
s worried, but there’s little we can do at this time.”

  “We’re working on it. I’ll have a plan within fifteen minutes. We’ve got to get everyone on board and clear orbit before the other Qoearc arrive. Stay in touch, and if anything changes on the station, advise me immediately.”

  “Aye, sir. Hamilton out.”

  Westermann clicked off again. “Engineering, what sort of cover could we provide for the shuttles? Plasma ejection, debris field, anything. Defensive drones? Coordinate with Tactical and get me an answer.” He turned once more to Sciences. Harvey’s face was in his scanning viewer again. “What is it, Lieutenant?”

  “Sir…” Harvey’s voice trailed as he adjusted his controls. “Something at the edge of the system, but I’m not sure what. Possibly more ships.”

  “How many?”

  “Two only, sir, and they’re pretty small, barely detectable. At first I thought they were just noise.”

  Westermann faced Phillips at Tactical again. “Talk to me.”

  The lieutenant’s hands ran over his panel quickly and scanned readouts. “Confirmed, sir, two small ships, heading in-system now at high speed. ETA, three hours, maybe less. They’re really moving.”

  Harvey motioned for attention. “Sir, thermal scans show heat content in the ships over two hundred Celsius.”

  Westermann blinked and looked to Tactical. “Stiz. Not what we need right now, but they might be our saviors.” Mister Phillips, track them as they approach. I need to know if they are on the same course as the approaching Qoearc and if they can overtake them. I need it now.”

  “Sir.” Phillips turned once more to his panel.

  Westermann pressed the intercom button. “Commander Hamilton, Agincourt. Lori, we’ve got more company. The Stiz have decided to join the party and they’re coming in…” he looked to Phillips at Tactical, giving a nod and thumbs-up. “Tracking the approaching Qoearc. Tactical says they’ll all arrive about the same time.” Phillips nodded to Westermann again. “So we’re out of options. You’re going to have to make a run for it.”